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I'm a noob to overclocking as this is my first time and this guide has helped me a lot, thanks.

First I want to say Thank you very much for this guide graysky.  I have never overclocked before and would have been lost without it.  
 
Ok Here is the background on what i have done so far and then I have some questions.
 
My system
Asus Maximus Formula  
e6750
4gb (2x2gb) OCZ Reaper ddr800
Zalman 9700
2 x HD3870 GPU's in crossfire
Coolermaster Stacker 832
 
For the case I have the front fan as an intake and the three side fans as intake (cannot use the top left fan because the Zalman 9700 only has about a centimeter clearance).  The top and rear fans are exhaust and the 2 gpu's both exhaust out the back.
 
I followed the guide and shut off everything you said to.  I started by bringing the chip up to 375fsb with a 8x mulitplier.  I then ran prime 95 for 12 hours with great results so I Stepped up 400fsb, 435fsb then finally 450fsb.  The ram is set 1:1 so it is at 900 right now.  Prime95 has been running for 8 hours so far and no errors.  I have the core volt set to auto still as I have not fine tunned yet.  It is reading 1.344v in cpuz on idle 1.328 on load.  My temps are  
 
Idle c1 28/ c2 32
Load c1 45 / c2 48 (average)
   
My questions
1.  My goal all along was to get to 3.6ghz which i have now done.  It seems like everything is going to pass but prime 995 is going to run for at least another 12 hours.  With the temps in check still and everything stable should I try to push 3.8 or higher or am I getting greedy?
 
2. I have heard bad things about the ASUS monitoring tool as it appears to read the wrong temps and volts.  I have watched this as it seems the only thing that reports my NB and SB but they jump all around 50 deg to 100deg then back to 48 in a span of a second.  Is there a tool I can get that will accurately read them?
 
3. When I start fine tuning the vcore is there a rule of thumb to start at?  Start lower than where it is at load?
 
Thank you again for the guide and any help you can give me.

Howdy'all great post Cryptics and GREAT thread graysky - well written and comprehensive enough for even a hack like myself to overclock successfully.
 
I just finished building my new system, my FIRST Intel-based.  I've been an AMD fan for years but after seeing the numbers on the Phenom I've given up on it being their great white hope and moved on   I was very well acquainted with the bios on AMD-based boards but once I hit delete and got into the setup on this rig I was pretty much lost.
 
Here's what I have:
 
- Q6600 G0
- Asus Maximus Formula
- 2gb Corsair Twin2x-8500C5 (SPD 5-5-5-15 2t)
- Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme w/ Noctua P12
- 2 x Asus HD 3870's in CrossFire  
- 4 x 500gb WD Caviar 16
- Thermaltake ToughPower 750w PSU
- Silverstone TJ-04
- BIOS revision 0907
 
Great rig and super quiet with the Noctua and 3870's  
 
Using graysky's guide and the posts from others on here, so far I've managed:
 
- FSB: 400fsb x 4 = 1600 rated fsb (ratio = 3:4)
- CPU: 400fsb x 9 - 3600mhz @ 1.4v
- DRAM 533.3mhz (1066) @ 2.2v (5-5-5-12 2t timings)
 
Temps are anywhere from high 30's to mid 40's depending background processes (Google Desktop is a serious resource hog - it takes up 50% of the CPU lately and it says its done indexing?!?!?)
 
Here's a sreen:
 

 
I forgot to get screens of Prime95 but I ran for ~12 hours without a hitch.  I'm really happy with performance - this is one HELL of a smokin system!!!  I'm going run like this for a week or so and make sure its rock stable before either going on to 4000mhz or adding another 2gb of Corsair Twin2x-8500C5.  So far I haven't messed wit NB or SB so that should be a learning experience.  
 
Thanks again for the great info - !!

Suh-weet - found a Microsoft update for those running SLI/Crossfire on Vista and ran 3Dmark06 again - 18006!  Picked up some more frames in Crysis and Gears of War as well, making them still playable at real high settings.  Odd but 3Dmark still says I'm not using likned adapters on the Configuration tab.  
 
Think I might just go for 4000mhz yet - tho I'll give it a week or so with these settings.  Thanks again man!!!
 

Ranger can you send me a link for that update?  I would love to install it.

Here ya go bud - Microsoft Hotfix kb936710.  Says its specifically for DX10 applications and I'm pretty sure 3Dmark06 is all DX9.  All I know is my scores came up that much immediately after installing it and they're staying there (within 1% anyways) and gaming in DX10 games is noticably better.  Post back with results with it Cryptics
 
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936710

Hi,
I must be pretty lucky so far, but I managed (with a P5K Pro - really a stand in board till I get my EVGA 680I back from RMA, though this board is so "stuff it in & it work's, I might well give the 680i a miss & get a refund from OC's UK), I have got my Q6600 running at 3.30GHZ on stock voltage, maybe due to ASUS 8Phase Vdrop(less) design?
I have bought OCZ Vista 2x2GB matched DDR2 800, and that probably is the weakpoint of my O/C ambition's, but it's holding up so far, want to go to 3.4 and stop there, If I had bought Crucial Ballistix, I feel I could have gone further.
 

 
Not sure about the benefit's of clocking my 8800GTX OEM (Also from O/C's UK). Its at the stock speed at the moment, my CPU temp is hard monitored at 28.0c Idle (with the humongous Thermalright 120 Extreme cooler - had to buy a new case just to fit the beast in), and a 120mm fan (I went for an Akasa, Cheap & cheerfull, but it works), as opposed to a scythe infinity, and at stressed temp , CPU is at 32.5 (51 core1 48,2 to core 4).
My GPU tem is 59.0C (nothing unusual for a GTX i'm told), and my Northie (wish Intel wouldn't use ICH9r) is at 39.0C (I read that ASUS mounted the Northbridge P5K Hardware temp moniter near the RAM slot's so it gives a slightly erroneous reading anyhow).
I'm well happy with this board, even though it's a budget one, difference's between EVGA 680i & P35 ASUS , obviously no SLI (but I think thats overblown anyway, having used SLI on my last setup with 2 x 6600GT's), goes into standby mode whereas 680I just BSOD's (in Vista & XP), Raid Read /Write failure's caused by (if you believe EVGA's forum's) Nvidia's badly implemented Southbridge, and Nvidia's sollution to this problem, Buy a 780i & spend yet more money,  
You can unlink the Mem / FSB on the 680i,(not on the P35), but I still managed to get more "oommpphh" out of the little ASUS board with less hassle (didn't have to change the Mosfet cooler's like on the EVGA - running on the 680i at 78.0c even at idle, not good).
EVGA eventually refused to post, and took an old friend with it (my ancient but reliable ANTEC Truepower 480W), so I've now gone for an OCZ 600 Xgamer silent PSU.
Sorry to whinge at Nvidia, in my opinion, they make damn great GFX card's but have a lot to learn about Mainboard chipset's (with the exception of their Nforce2 with splendid 5.1 surround sound & Nforce4), Wish they'd allow Intel to integrate SLI, they'd make a great combo with the X38!
Baron210...[cpp]

This guide is great, but I found this post by Cnumartyr very helpful as well:
 
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] l#t1744803
 
I guess it is saying much the same thing as in the OP, but for whatever reason it explained it in a way that 'clicked' in my brain.  It explains the three 'components' of overclocking, and how to seperate them out when testing.

Current system:
 
Asus Formula Maximus
e6850
4 GB Kingston HyperX 1066mhz @5-5-5-5-15
Zalman 9700LED
3870x2 - stock
Seagate 500 GB
(2) WD Raptor 74 GB
Silverstone 750 watt P.S.
 
I'm attempting to reach 4.0 GHZ.  I started slow and decided to leave voltages on auto.  I've disabled the spread spectrum for PCIE and CPU, PCIE is @100, no PCI setting avail.  With the multiplier @9, I notice a decrease in voltage as reported by both speedfan and CPUZ when I increase the FSB.  Am I insane?  I haven't been able to get it to a 400 mhz FSB @ core voltages up to 1.375 with all other on auto.  Memory was left @1:1 with above timings.
I'm testing now @9x366 with all auto voltages, and I'm seeing 1.29 volts (1.26 while Prime95 is running) and system is fine.
 
@400mhz FSB system posts but no Vista.

I am running an Asus P5W DH witn a Q6600 Go 4GB Kingston Hyper X DDR 800.  Is anyone running this board?  If so I am having a hard time getting it stable at 3.0 GHZ does anyone have settings for this they can post?
 
Thanks

i'm quite pleased, yet perplexed at the same time.....   i tried the vdroop mod, mentioned earlier in this fantastic guide.  i was running my ddr2 ballistix 800 at stock everything.  cpu has done fine up till now at 333x9 (q6600 G0, btw) at stock voltage, VID 1.275.  i had a few crashes in games recently tho, so i decided i would play around a little with tweaking and testing, and ended up here.....  
 
ok, on to the point i was making.  i used a 6B pencil, since i had one laying around.  i know the usual recommended pencil is a 3 or 4B, but hey, i had it.  in short, wow.
 
does it ever stabilize voltages.  in fact, i HAD to lower the voltage to stay stable in OCCT.  at stock, it would poof immediately using the "CPU" testing option.  curiously enough, if i lowered it to 1.2675, no sweat.  made one standard half hour pass perfectly.  tonite, i decided to try it again, this time at 1.2625.  idle voltage is 1.248.
 
here is the really strange part.  yes, it passed one half hour test perfectly.  but the LOAD voltage stayed exactly 1.256, not budging.  after the test was finished, the voltage returned to 1.248.
 
ok, i realize that 1) this is no where near what you can say as perfectly stable, one pass of OCCT.  more lengthy testing will ensue of course.  2) most ppl use prime95, which again, in time i will as well  3) there may be implications of using the pencil i did, which of course i will find out one way or another in time.
 
but, for now, truly shocking.  i might add, that during these tests so far, i've taken graysky's advice and kept my ram 1:1 at the above mentioned fsb.
 
i'll try yet another drop tomorrow night, and keep it up until i get a poof.  then i'll know what my bottom voltage is, for more lengthy testing.  i don't happen to have six hour stretches of available time to try each drop.  and i'd prefer to be CLOSE during such.  
 
once i settle on a stable voltage, then it's time to play with say, 366x9, which btw, i've not yet been able to even POST using.  i have not however, been raising my voltage when attempting that tho, since i've read several posts of ppl reaching that AT stock voltage.
 
so, perhaps it was my severe vdroop (.07325 usually), and/or my ram, which truly has given me fits since i've had it, but that is another long story.
 
ok, sorry for such a long post, and if anyone has any input, just say it.  i won't take offense.  i also try to check here often, but may not be able to every day.
 
graysky, you rule!

Hi graysky
 
I NEED HELP!
 
i am having trouble getting my CPU to stabilize by 1.26 volt with FSB at 333 (like you said!). the minimum V.CPU i can stabilize it with is 1.35v.
Also my RAM wont go for 1066Mhz (5.5.5.15.3.42.5.3.3)
 
Can you help me overclock my system.
It is:
 
mobo: ASUS P5KC (bios 1001)
CPU: C2Q 6600 G0 + FREEZER PRO7
RAM: Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5D
Power Supply: Corsair HX520W
Case: Antec P182
 
 

For P35-DS3L OWNERS:
 

 

The above picture of the BIOS explain the settings for Over clocking the CPU.  
 
 
The CPU on that motherboard is a E2180. The CPU has been stress tested with Prime95.

 
Here is a bigger picture:


 
More info here

 
1.35v core is OK as long as you get a better cooler like a 9700

Shadow7037 93  
 
Can you till me any thing about the RAM speed. what shall i set it to?  
1:1 is too slow and is slowing the whole system. i tried to set it to 1066Mhz but it wont pass memtest2.00. The V.RAM is at max 2.1 and if i over do it, it will void the warranty (all parts are only 2 monthes old  
 
I think the FREEZER PRO7 is ok for OCing only to 3Ghz. My temps are:  
Idle: 23-37.37.35.35
Load: 39-55.55.51.51 (after 2hrs. of prim95)
but how dose it affect the CPU power consumption?
 
thanks for your help.

svesam, the reasoning behind setting the RAM below stock speeds and timings, is so that you can get your CPU stable at first.  this will effectively rule out RAM as being the possible cause of any crashes.  notice the pic up above of Shadow's bios settings.  the ram speed is 667, or roughly twice his FSB, which is what a 1:1 ratio will produce.  this is VERY crucial when overclocking.
 
AFTER you have established the CPU is stable at whatever voltage, then you can go back and set the RAM at a faster speed and timing if you want to.
 
i think the point graysky made in his article, is that running RAM at these fast speeds will indeed make things look great in a benchmark, but that does NOT always mean it's any better in real life use.
 
one final note: you may not have a CPU that can run at 1.26v.  each one is different.  
 
someone correct me if i'm wrong, but try using Coretemp, which is a program that monitors temperatures as they REALLY are inside your cpu.  in that, my q6600 shows a voltage ID of 1.275.  when i set my bios to auto on cpu voltage, that is exactly what it uses.  so i know my cpu is meant to run at that voltage.  try this on yours, and see if yours shows a similar voltage.
 
i'll check back here to see what you find.  don't panic, we'll get you going!!

^No. The CoreTemp VID is what is the normal voltage at stock and not the current voltage that it is set to.
 
@svesam: Start a new thread in"Overclocking" you will get better help. Not many people check this thread after Page 1 (since this is a sticky).

thanks guys. i will start a new thread and i will post my findings there.
hope to see you there.